Hermione sat down with Harry and Ron eating at the Gryffindor table, chatting about the formal ball that is coming in the month of December. All the girls were very excited because the Duke Colin of Kensington , a wizard kingdom, was going to attend the ball. The boys weren't as excited because that meant that they had to dress in itchy formal robes and had to get dates for the ball. Harry and Ron grunted over when they would take the time out of their "oh so busy schedule" to get their dress robes and tuxedos to go underneath. Hermione kept quiet about the subject as she was reading a letter that was very suspicious to both Ron and Harry.

"Hermione who sent you a letter?" Ron asked stuffing his face full of mashed potatoes and chicken legs. Hermione looked at him with a disgusted face causing Harry to chuckle a bit.

"Its from my uncle he wants to see me immediately for some reason" she said scanning the yellowed parchment more. Harry watched her with her eyes narrowed and her mouth partly open. She was beautiful.

Sheda whatta? Beautiful? Hermione? Hermione Granger?

*Yes you dumbarse You just said it yourself*

That was YOU who said it!

* No no that was all you. Admit it Harrison James Potter. You think Hermione Granger is beautiful!*

She's my best friend!

* so is there a rule that your not allowed to fall in love with your best friend?*

What did I say about love? I didn't say that!

*Well it obvious to whom ever has eyes! Now stop arguing with me, some thing is wrong with lover girl!*

Indeed something was wrong. Hermione had the looks between upset and confused. Harry looked at Ron, whom was still stuffing himself silly. Harry elbowed him hard and nodded his head toward Hermione. Ron looked at her and dropped his fork looking back at Harry.

"Mione what's wrong?" Harry asked quietly.

"My uncle is dying. He wants to tell me in person what he's leaving me."

"Herms I'm sorry." Ron said earnestly. Hermione gave a small smile and got up to go talk to Dumbledore Harry presumed. He was about to turn back to his food and begin the discussion of the Ball again with Ron, but Hermione tapped him on the shoulder.

"Um...Harry, do you think you and Ron could come with me when I leave for my uncle's?" She pout out her bottom lip and looked so cute. Shut up! * haha you said it*

"Harry? Can you?" Hermione asked in a soft voice. Harry smiled and nodded.

"Sure Mione, Ron and I will come with you." Hermione hugged him around the neck kissing him lightly on the cheek and walking back over to Dumbledore.

"H-Harry you look ss-soooo funny!" Ron said cracking up. Harry cocked his head to the side and looked at him perplexed.

"What do you mean I look funny?"

"Your all red! Hahaha!" This just made Harry turn even redder.

"Shut up you prat." Harry whispered chuckling a little.

"all right what's so funny?" Hermione asked when she sat back down.

"Harry went red aft-yuousiiss" Harry had covered Ron's face when his hand and smiled innocently.

"Nothing Ron's was telling me about Fred and George's Joke shop." Harry lied. Hermione looked like she didn't believe him but shook it off.

"Well anyway, Professor Dumbledore is allowing you both to accompany me to my Uncle's on Thursday. We are to stay there until Sunday morning as the Ball is on the following Monday." Hermione said. Harry and Ron nodded.

"Well, I'm set lets go back to the common room." Harry announced. Hermione nodded and followed him and Ron.

When they got back to the common room they found no one there which was very odd especially since there is always someone in there. Even if it was a House elf.

"How strange." Ron whispered pulling out his chess bored, "Want to play me in a game mate?"

"And loose my pride? No. Besides I have to do my homework for potions its due tomorrow." Harry whispered back waving his homework in Ron's face laughing a little.

"Why are you both whispering?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged.

"I don't know. Seemed like the thing to do. But you will have to be quiet, I'm going to take a nap before Quiddtich practice." Ron yawned. Hermione and Harry nodded and began to do their homework.

2 hours later.......

Harry had finished all of his homework and was watching Hermione do hers from the rim of a book., which he held upside down. She was biting her pink lip and was fixing her new glasses that had slide to her nose.

She has changed a lot since 1st year.

*Wow that's a shocker. That's what happens when you grow up.*

Yeah, I know that, but she's not a girl anymore. We're only in 6th year and she's already a woman!

*So you admit she's beautiful?*

Do i have to say it? Its plain to see.

*You've got it bad*

Got what bad?

*Love buddy boy, Love.*

I never said I was in love!

*Yes, but you can't seem to take your eyes off her, and you won't stop thinking about her!*

What are you talking about? I did stop thinking about her!

*Yeah, huh, sure. Then why throughout doing all of your homework you spent most of your time looking at her?*

I....um....oh shut up.

* Yeah i should since she's asking for you!*

"Harry? Harry why are you starring at me? And how come your reading upside down?" she asked almost in a fit of giggles. Harry blushed and turned the book right not being able to meet her eyes. Hermione smiled and went over to him, sitting next to him on the couch.

"Well?" she pushed.

"Well, I was distracted." Harry said gently. It was Hermione's turn to blush.

"What's on your mind Harry?"

"Nothing interesting." there was a moment of silence until Harry broke it.

"Mione?"

"Hum?"

"How come you weren't that upset about your uncle dying?" Hermione took a deep breath and looked at Harry.

"I am sad, but I've been through death so many times Its almost like a daily happening to me now." What ever answer Harry was expecting that was definitely not it.

"What do you mean? Whose died? If you don't mind me asking."

"Everyone except my uncle and myself in my family of course." Harry was beyond surprise.

"Tell me about your past Mione." Harry asked leaning back against the couch.

"What's there to tell? I lived basically alone in India most of my childhood, then moved to England after my parents died."

"What was India like?" Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes slouching low and spoke, "It was like a dry heart with no blood and fake smiles." Harry took her hand in his and laid down on her lap.

"More."

"I didn't know how to dress myself until i was well into my tenth year."

"You didn't know how to dress yourself?" Harry asked looking at her. She shook her head.

"I was a spoiled brat who thought everyone should bow down and respect me like a queen who lived on gold and jewels." Harry chuckled.

"You? Your the least selfish person I know!"

"Yes, well you knew me when I had found out how to cry."

"You didn't know how to cry? Hermione shook her head.

"No, do you want to hear all about my childhood? Its a long depressing story." she said running her hands in his raven locks.

"Please."

"all right but first I should tell you, my name is not really Hermione. It Mary Hermione Granger Lennox. Duchess of Kensington.